By Segun Oke
I was rounding off an exercise session at the National Stadium in Surulere when the call I had been waiting for finally came through. The message was brief and urgent: “Mrs Ibru will see you now, Segun.”
It was a Saturday, and I was hardly dressed for an audience with the legendary Dr Mrs Cecilia Ibru, a woman whose name carried enormous weight in Nigeria’s banking industry. “I am in my jumpsuit, sir,” I tried to explain to Mr Feyi Akinbile, the Head of Human Resources.
But he cut through my hesitation and said, “Segun, just come. Madam has been very busy, and this is your chance to meet her now.” I set off immediately, driving across Eko Bridge towards Ozumba Mbadiwe, where the headquarters of Oceanic Bank stood. As I drove, rosary in hand, I prayed quietly. Meeting her felt important, even necessary. At the time, I was weary of the pressure at Zenith Bank, and something in me sensed that this meeting could mark the beginning of a new chapter. I arrived in a rush, parked badly, and handed my keys to a security man who was already complaining about my parking. Without stopping to explain, I ran upstairs, breathless, and met Mrs Ibru just as she was about to leave on that Saturday morning in 2005.
Feyi smiled and said to her, “This is the man we have been waiting for.” Still trying to catch my breath, I managed to apologise. Mrs Cecilia Ibru smiled, unbothered by my state, and ushered me into the boardroom.
That one hour with her has remained with me ever since. What struck me first was her warmth. Here was a woman of immense influence, yet she received me with grace, calmness, and generosity of spirit. By the end of our conversation, I left with more than the prospect of a new role; I left with hope, renewed confidence, and a sense of possibility.
I drove home slowly that day, replaying every word and every moment of our discussion about banking, leadership, and the future of Nigeria.
Mrs Ibru was no ordinary banker. She was a visionary with an expansive mind, a woman who saw opportunities where others saw limitations. She believed deeply in the possibilities of Nigeria and committed herself to building institutions and supporting ventures that could move the nation forward.
Under her leadership, Oceanic Bank was not merely growing; it was becoming a force to reckon with. We were bold, confident, and undaunted. We were the bank to beat.Oceanic Bank played major roles in landmark projects and economic ventures that reflected this vision.
We were among the banks that funded Obajana Cement for Dangote Industries. We supported the MM2 project for Wale Babalakin, and we also financed one of the largest retail markets in Kano. We heavily supported Lagos State and became its leading bank in the collection of internally generated revenue.
These were not ordinary achievements. They reflected a bank that was prepared to take strategic positions, support transformational ideas, and back progress where others hesitated.
Mrs Ibru simply wanted a better Nigeria, and that desire was reflected in the scale and significance of what Oceanic Bank stood for during those years. One of the first things she told me was, “I will give you early responsibilities.” It was not a casual promise. She meant it, and she honoured it. The responsibilities that followed were significant and, at times, daunting. From being appointed Manager at the iconic Adeola Odeku branch, to taking on special assignments at Oceanic Capital, and later becoming CEO of an affiliate company, my journey under her leadership was both demanding and defining. It required discipline, resilience, and a willingness to rise quickly to every challenge. Yet she had a rare gift: she recognised hard work, rewarded excellence, and gave people room to grow.
Of course, such opportunities did not go unnoticed. The envy from some colleagues was real and, at times, palpable.
Mrs Ibru saw it clearly and offered me simple but enduring advice: focus only on what matters. Those words became an anchor for me. They kept me steady in moments that might otherwise have distracted or discouraged me.One experience, in particular, has stayed with me as a powerful example of her influence, humility, and willingness to help others succeed.
While I was at Oceanic Bank, I had been making efforts to bring Toyota Nigeria Limited to the bank. I was informed by Mr Bunmi Onafowokan that the only person who could approve such a move was Chief Adeojo, the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited and also Chairman of Elizade Motors. Reaching him was extremely difficult.Then, on one of our trips to Abuja with Mrs Ibru, we happened to meet Chief Adeojo at the airport. I quickly told her about the effort I had been making and the challenge I had faced in getting approval. Without hesitation, Mrs Ibru approached the Chairman, went on her knees, and spoke to him on my behalf. She told him exactly what I had shared with her.
Immediately, Chief Adeojo turned to me and asked for a piece of paper. That day, all I had on me was a handkerchief. He took the handkerchief from me and wrote on it: “Bunmi, open an account with Oceanic Bank.” Just like that, the account was opened. That moment said so much about Mrs Ibru. It spoke of her humility, her courage, her personal commitment to results, and the extraordinary respect she commanded.
She was a woman who could move mountains for those who worked with her and believed in what they were doing. She did not merely give instructions from a distance; she got involved, and she made things happen.
Then there were the EXCO meetings. They began promptly at 7:00 a.m. every Monday, and punctuality was not optional. Mrs Ibru was never late. If traffic caught me at 6:50 a.m., my heart would begin to race, and I would urge my driver to find a way through the gridlock. By 6:55 a.m., I would be hurrying up the stairs to join the other Heads of Subsidiaries. At exactly 7:00 a.m., she would already be seated, composed and ready to begin. Those meetings often stretched until 2:00 p.m., and as my turn to present my reports approached, I could feel the tension in my stomach. But even in those moments, there was something deeply instructive about watching her lead. She brought discipline, clarity, stamina, and purpose to the room.
She demanded much, but she also inspired much. For those of us privileged to work closely with her, the lessons went far beyond banking. They touched on leadership, excellence, courage, vision, and the power of believing in people. Her impact was so visible that even long after those years, people still sought to understand the secret of Oceanic Bank’s success under her leadership.
I remember once going for an interview where the Managing Director departed from the usual formal questions and instead asked me what Mrs Ibru did that made Oceanic Bank so prosperous. That moment said a great deal. It showed that her leadership style, her discipline, her courage, and her strategic vision had become a reference point in the banking industry. People did not just see a successful bank; they saw the imprint of an exceptional leader.
As you turn 80, Ma, I celebrate not only your life and achievements, but also your impact on those of us who had the rare privilege of learning from you at close range. I remember the trust you gave, the standards you upheld, the opportunities you created, and the confidence you inspired. I remember a leader who opened doors early, expected the best, and saw potential before others did.That is a gift not easily forgotten.
Happy 80th birthday, Dr Mrs Cecilia Ibru. Your life has been one of influence, strength, grace, and remarkable legacy.
May this new chapter be filled with joy, peace, and the deep satisfaction of knowing that you have touched many lives, shaped many destinies, and contributed meaningfully to the building of a better Nigeria.
Dr Oke Segun, Research Fellow in Health Science and Health Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, with a career spanning Credit, and Fintech. He was Acting CEO of Destiny Dreggers Ltd an affiliate of Oceanic Bank. He currently serves as a Research Fellow in Health Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.
